This Makes Me Smile Layout

Hello friends, it is the weekend - woohoo!  Thanks so much for stopping by I hope you are inspired by your visit! I have been working on a lot of things,but am unable to show them at this time - Design Team projects and Commissions - but all in good time!  I do have a layout to share with you - I have decided that as the 'Memory Keeper' of the family I need to document some of my own memories - and this is definitely a favourite...one of the Retreats I was so blessed to attend with Spellbinders...

I have used the paper and stickers from  Kaisercraft Kaleidascope Collection (an older Collection) - such pretty colours - makes me smile just looking at it.

The photos are some of my favourite moments and have been cut/embossed using Spellbinders Nestabilities Fancy Edged Squares Etched Dies and sanded around the embossed edges using a Sanding Block - my favourite way of distressing.  The photo on the  bottom left is a Class that Stacey taught - sharing her real passion - I loved every second of it - Stacey is such a beautiful person and her passion inspiring - it has been an honour to be know as one of 'Staceys's Girls' for some of this amazing journey.  I have used stickers from the Kaisercraft Collection along with Little Birdie Crafts Handmade Embellishments - the Cactus are perfect for the Arizona based layout!  

The beautiful flowers are also by Little Birdie Crafts - the Beaded Blooms and I have added some stickers to create a little journaling.  I have also added some chipboard from Prima, a handmade embellishment and the gorgeous peacock feather, which I picked up in a crazy shopping spree with the other International Ambassadors.  The chipboard is from Little Birdie Crafts - it certainly says it all - DREAM BIG - I would never have imagined that this would be part of my amazing journey - me a card maker in my little suburb - but theses things do happen...so DREAM BIG!!

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This layout is linked to the following challenges:

QKR Stampede - ANYTHING GOES

Crafting With An Attitude -  Always Anything Goes

TIME OUT Challenges -  Inspired By Words* 

WordArt Wednesdays - Anything Goes

Crafty Creations - Always Anything Goes 

Lemon Shortbread - Always Anything Goes

Little Red Wagon - Distressing

Through The Craft Room Door - Always Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart - ANYTHING GOES

CropStop Challenge - ANYTHING GOES OPTIONAL TWIST INCLUDE A PLAID ELEMENT

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes  w/Optional Twist: Use Something Wooden (Chipboard sentiment)

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{hugs}}} and happy creating

Enjoy the Journey - Spellbinders Retreat

Hello Blog Friends - I am excited to share the first of what I hope to be 'many' layouts from the 2014 Spellbinders Retreat - it was the most amazing and life changing time - one of those moments where you realise you are 'living your dream!'   I hope I can capture some of the 'magic' that we all got to experience.

 We were treated by a whole day in Sedona by Stacey Caron - not only is she an amazing lady, her love for her designers is second to none - it was wonderful - what an extravaganza for the eyes - such a beautiful place.    

We made a few stops along the way and each of those will be the focus of more layouts - hopefully they will not take a year! LOL!  I have used patterned paper from My Mind's Eye, along with embellishments from     

One of the highlights of the day trip was lunch at the Enchantment Resort Restaurant that was down at the very bottom of Sedona - the views were breathtaking and the food divine - so much to choose from - on the waiters recommendation I had Grits and Shrimp Gumbo - divine!  Much to my surprise some of the Americans there had not tried Grits  can you believe that!?!  A little like polenta but very creamy.

The International Ambassadors and the Design Team are an exceptionally talented group of designers/artists with syles from CAS to Mixed Media and everything in between - so much inspiration in one place is an amazing experience!

    

The Prickly Pair Spellbinders® Shapeabilities®  is perfect for this layout - those little lizards are the cutest things and have been cut using the   Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine.  I have also used Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Crafty Foam Tape and E-Z Adhesive Runner.

No journaling on this layout - the paper and the embellishments do that for me - I love it when that happens! Corrugated cardboard has added texture and dimension - a bit rustic - perfect for the feel of the layout.  I have created a stencil using the Grate Effect Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Card Creator and texture paste for some dimension, 

I hope you have enjoyed the layout - I have to say - the photo does not do it justice at all, but I am sure you get the idea!

This layout is liked to the following challenges:

Love to Scrap - Anything Goes

Love To Scrap Challenge - Anything Goes

Not Just Cards - Always Anything Goes

Karleigh Sue Challenge - One for the Girls

The Crazy Challenge - Everything Goes

Crafting From The Heart Challenge - Anything Goes

We Love 2 Create  - Anything Creative/ Mixed Media Goes 

Word Art Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Scrappers Delights - Always Anything Goes 

Craft Your Passion Challenge - Anything Goes

Brown Sugar – Anything Goes

Simply Papercraft - Always Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes + A Sentiment 

You can see more photos of the Retreat in my facebook Album HERE if you missed them at the time or would just like to check out what we were up too - but just know that what happened in Phoenix - stays in Phoenix!! LOL!

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}} and happy creating!

Reflecting - on the Spellbinders Retreat

You would think this post would be easy to write, but it is just the opposite infact - how can you capture the ultimate experience of bonding, inspiration, heartfelt friendships, generosity, teaching, learning, love and laughter in words - not possible - so I will try with photos.

It has to be said - these ladies are amazing - so many countries represented, along with those from the USA, we came from across the globe - Canada, Germany, Australia, Netherlands, England and the Ukraine. We shared some amazing days together, filled with laughter, tears and bonding.  The support and encouragement was amazing and each one appreciating each others styles - no ego or insecurities - just positive stuff happening - love that!

Stacey and the Spellbinders Team spoiled us - the trip to Sedona was amazing, breathtaking and so much more. 

The Desert is an incredible place at the best of times, but to be surrounded by the beautiful red rock formations was just surreal - each of us was taken in by it's beauty!

Yes, there were photo opportunities - and many of these will be seen on scrapbook layouts and canvas' over time I am sure!  For more photos, you can see my facebook Album HERE

Stacey took the time each day to gather us and encourage - bonding is not to be underestimated.  One of the highlights for me was the Class that Stacey taught - going back to her first love - Mixed Media - for some of us it was way out of our comfort zone - but that is what made it inspiring.

Here is a little sneak peek of my canvas - I am putting the final touches on at home and will share it when it is finished.

I don't want to overwhelm you with photos - I will spread them over a few posts - I hope you are okay with that!  We have been so blessed and I am wanting to share that with you and also honour the person who made it possible!! 

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{Hugs}}}

Up Up and Away....

Hello Blog Friends, as you read this I will be on my way to the Spellbinders Retreat in Phoenix Arizona....I will try (I did say 'try') to share photos both here and on facebook during the trip.  It is an amazing experience - I consider myself blessed to be part of the Spellbinders family!

For me, the journey starts at 7am, when I leave for the airport and head to LAX via Melbourne - arriving at 7am on the same day I leave here -  and meet up with one of the Spellbinders Designers to do some serious sightseeing - this will be fabulous - especially as there is a 14 hour stop-over at LAX!! 

The flight to Phoenix arrives at 11:30pm and we will be more than ready for the fun to begin!  Thanks so much for all the travel suggestions and advice - I look forward to sharing this amazing journey! 

 Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you! 

{{{Hugs}}}

 

Spellbinders - Behind the Art - Part I

I am sorry for the lack of posts over the past week - but I have the best reason ever - I have been in Phoenix with at the Spellbinders Retreat and it has been amazing - went too fast but was worth every second of the trip - even the seven and a half extra hours - due to delays!

There are connections that take place in the heart and transcend distance and time.  These connections can come at many levels but stay with us forever.  They happen for many reasons and at times without us being aware of the underlying strength of them, but one thing is certain – they are real.

Social Media has given us amazing opportunities – there are those who say that you cannot possibly have a ‘real’ relationship with someone on  Social Media – I would have to disagree and the Spellbinders Retreat is certainly evidence of that.  Coming together and meeting so many of these inspiring people face to face was amazing – but with many it was just a formality.....as we have already made that heart connection and building a lasting connection.

It is the most amazing feeling to be with so many inspiring people - all with their own unique styles and so very talented.  Each Team has it's specific role - I cannot help but think of the scripture about us all being one body - one is the hand and one is the foot - but cannot say they have no use for the other - they are all made to work together - whether they are a hair on the arm or the brain - each one is just as important as the other and has their own job to do and their own place to 'shine' - a beautifully functioning 'body'!

 Each Team had Workshops together and during this we bonded and created. The Spellblogger/ Social Media Team had a lot of fun for the last session - creating a canvas - a first for some of us - me included.  Each person created one layer and then passed it onto the next person to add another layer - we ended up with five unique canvas' - each one being a 'Work of the Heart' and totally unique.

Bringing so many artistic people together is an amazing fete, there has been so much behind the scene work done by so many - too many to mention at this point, but the obvious two are Stacey Caron and her P.A. and sister Cindy Alexander.  They are amazing people and so much fun too.

Friday night was the 'Nerd's Night' and it was hilarious - so many photos to share.  It was definitely time to 'let your hair down'  There are many photos all over facebook - I am sure you will be seeing a few more as the days go by.

I have too many to add to this one post so will be back with Part Two tomorrow - I will be sharing photos some photos of the Classes and of Phoenix itself - I hope you will come back and share them with me. Some of these photos are by Beck Beattie - you can find her here.

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you! 

{{{hugs}}}